Chapter XXXIV · Chapter 34

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading AN HONEST PLOT.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

eagerly desirous

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

-ing form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally

From this reading His customer gave a small snort, betraying her first impulse to resentment, but her nobler nature, which was never far from the surface, constrained her compliance.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

acting according to certain accepted standards

From this reading His customer gave a small snort, betraying her first impulse to resentment, but her nobler nature, which was never far from the surface, constrained her compliance.

an expression of sympathy with another's grief

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

lacking spontaneity; not natural

From this reading His customer gave a small snort, betraying her first impulse to resentment, but her nobler nature, which was never far from the surface, constrained her compliance.

calm and unruffled self-assurance

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

someone who pays for goods or services

From this reading His customer gave a small snort, betraying her first impulse to resentment, but her nobler nature, which was never far from the surface, constrained her compliance.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

without deviation

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

at any time

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading His customer gave a small snort, betraying her first impulse to resentment, but her nobler nature, which was never far from the surface, constrained her compliance.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading His customer gave a small snort, betraying her first impulse to resentment, but her nobler nature, which was never far from the surface, constrained her compliance.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

the state of being friends (or friendly)

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading His customer gave a small snort, betraying her first impulse to resentment, but her nobler nature, which was never far from the surface, constrained her compliance.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading His customer gave a small snort, betraying her first impulse to resentment, but her nobler nature, which was never far from the surface, constrained her compliance.

destroyed or killed

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

that which is pleasing or valuable or useful

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

for this reason

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent

From this reading AN HONEST PLOT.

a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

possessive form of “horn” — a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

an instinctive motive

From this reading His customer gave a small snort, betraying her first impulse to resentment, but her nobler nature, which was never far from the surface, constrained her compliance.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

having much knowledge or education

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

a particular point in time

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading His customer gave a small snort, betraying her first impulse to resentment, but her nobler nature, which was never far from the surface, constrained her compliance.

plural of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading His customer gave a small snort, betraying her first impulse to resentment, but her nobler nature, which was never far from the surface, constrained her compliance.

not any; not one

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

comparative of “noble” — impressive in appearance

From this reading His customer gave a small snort, betraying her first impulse to resentment, but her nobler nature, which was never far from the surface, constrained her compliance.

express or signify by nodding

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

above and across; more than

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)

From this reading AN HONEST PLOT.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will

From this reading His customer gave a small snort, betraying her first impulse to resentment, but her nobler nature, which was never far from the surface, constrained her compliance.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

do one's shopping

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading His customer gave a small snort, betraying her first impulse to resentment, but her nobler nature, which was never far from the surface, constrained her compliance.

showing scarcely suppressed anger

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

indicate contempt by breathing noisily and forcefully through the nose

From this reading His customer gave a small snort, betraying her first impulse to resentment, but her nobler nature, which was never far from the surface, constrained her compliance.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

not moving or operating freely

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading His customer gave a small snort, betraying her first impulse to resentment, but her nobler nature, which was never far from the surface, constrained her compliance.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

precisely as stated

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

at the time that

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Miss Horn was consequently a good deal surprised when, having gone into the shop to buy some trifle, Mr Mellis informed her, in all but a whisper, that his wife was very anxious to see her alone for a moment, and begged her to have the goodness to step up to the parlour.

possessive form of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Ever since the visit of condolence with which the narrative of these events opened, there had been a coolness between Mrs Mellis and Miss Horn.

but in spite of that

From this reading Mr Mellis’s shop was directly opposite Miss Horn’s house, and his wife’s parlour was over the shop, looking into the street; hence the two neighbours could not but see each other pretty often; beyond a stiff nod, however, no sign of smouldering friendship had as yet broken out.